PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency is apparently scrapping its requirement that
all consumers buy at least four gallons of gasoline from certain gas pumps that
dispense the new E15 ethanol-gasoline blend, the American Motorcyclist
Association reports.

The EPA first revealed its minimum-purchase requirement to the AMA in a letter
dated Aug. 1, responding to AMA concerns that E15 -- a gasoline formulation
that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume -- could be put in motorcycle
and all-terrain vehicle gas tanks inadvertently when consumers used blender
pumps. A blender pump dispenses different fuel blends through the same hose,
and the vast majority of motorcycles and ATVs in use today aren't designed to
operate on E15 fuel.

The EPA had said that the minimum purchase requirement was meant to dilute any
residual E15 fuel left in the hose.

On Dec. 17, in response to ongoing AMA concerns, the EPA indicated to the AMA
that it would no longer require a minimum purchase of four gallons. Instead,
the EPA will now likely require a label on blender pumps that dispense E10
and E15 through the same hose that state the pump is solely for passenger cars
and trucks.

In addition, the EPA indicated it will require stations that sell E15 to also
have a pump with a dedicated E10 hose for use by motorcycles and other vehicles
the EPA hasn't approved for E15 use.

"With E15 gasoline, our members who make a concerted effort to fuel their
motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less gasoline may be unknowingly refueling with
residual fuel left in the hose," Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for
government relations, had said to the EPA before the agency's Dec. 17 comments.

"Unlike an automobile or SUV that has a large fuel tank, the residual fuel
left in a fueling hose could be detrimental to the performance of motorcycle or
ATV engines due to the small size of their fuel tanks and the higher
concentration of ethanol that would, therefore, be present in the fuel,"
Allard had said. "In addition, the use of E15 will lower fuel efficiency
and possibly cause premature engine failure. Use of E15 fuel voids many
manufacturer warranties. In off-road engines, the effects can even be dangerous
for users."

The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal
lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the
inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available, and has
asked that motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study into the effects
of E15.

Ethanol is essentially grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is
mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel. In October
2010, the EPA approved the use of E15 in model year 2007 and newer light-duty
vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). Then, in
January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-06 light-duty vehicles to the
approved list.

No motorcycles or ATVs are currently on the list.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.